Department of Public Works >> Bureau of Street Environmental Services >> Street Cleaning

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Mechanical Street Sweeping Program

DPW cleans about ninety percent of San Francisco streets with Mechanical Sweepers. We cover 150, 000 curb miles and remove  25, 000 tons of litter and debris every year. Generally, DPW sweeps residential streets weekly or twice per month and sweeps commercial areas at least once per week. Mechanical sweepers remove litter from your neighborhood and shopping corridors and also prevent grime and pollutants from entering the City's combined sewer system and therefore reduces the amount of pollutants entering the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean!

In order to successfully sweep our streets, residents must move their cars and property owners must make sure the tree in front of their home is trimmed up to 14 feet.

Look up a Street's Sweeping Schedule When prompted, enter address under "Find Address or Intersection."
2009 Mechanical Sweeping Schedule for Streets Swept Monthly Easy to understand sweeping calendar.
Mechanical Sweeping Schedule Changes Learn more about why DPW adjusted Street Sweeping Frequency in some residential neighborhoods.

 

Process for Street Sweeping Change Request

NOTE:  Under the Public Works Code, the cleanliness of sidewalks is the responsibility of the fronting property owner.

1. Draw up a petition requesting Mechanical Street Cleaning on your street and state the reason(s) why you believe it is needed.
2. Collect the names, addresses and signatures of as many residents and/or people who work on the street as possible.
3. Submit the signed petition to: 
   Ed Reiskin, Director
   Department of Public Works
   1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Rm. 348
   San Francisco, CA  94102
4. If the Director approves the request, it will be forwarded to the department’s Bureau of Street Environmental Services to schedule a public hearing regarding the proposed changes to parking restrictions for street cleaning.  Notices will be posted on the street to inform the public of the proposed changes and to alert them to the public hearing.
5. If you are interested, you may appear in person to speak to the issue or submit remarks in writing.
6. If the hearing officer approves the requested changes, the Municipal Transportation Agency will install new parking signs.  The timeframe for changing the parking signs depend upon the availability of funding and could take up to 120 days.

 

2009 Mechanical Sweeping Holiday Schedule

Mechanical Sweeping is not performed on the following holidays, except if the street cleaning sign states "7 Days a Week" or "Everyday Including Holidays."

January 1, 2009 (New Year's Day)
January 19, 2009 (Martin Luther King Day)
February 16, 2009 (Presidents' Day)
May 25, 2009 (Memorial Day)
July 3, 2009 (Independence Day, Observed)
September 7, 2009 (Labor Day)
October 12, 2009 (Columbus Day)
November 11, 2009 (Veterans' Day)
November 26, 2009 (Thanksgiving Day)
November 27, 2009 (Day after Thanksgiving)
December 25, 2009 (Christmas Day)

This schedule only applies to street cleaning parking regulations.
Go to Department of Parking and Traffic for other parking regulations.